Description

Sweet, single-serving size. Small, 4" diameter, teacup-shaped fruits average 3/4-1 lb. It has the ivory color and dark green stripes of a Delicata, but in a round, flat-topped shape and dainty, single-serving size. Very sweet, tender orange flesh. Suitable for stuffing. Medium length vines. Avg. yield: 8-10 fruits/plant. Avg. 

When you need a smaller alternative to a big winter squash, sweet dumpling squash is the answer. About the size of an extra large apple, this single-serving squash usually weighs under one pound apiece and is shaped like a miniature pumpkin due to the scalloped lobes that form the rind. The skin is often white with mottled yellow, orange, and/or green markings. Inside, the flesh is smooth, tender, and sweet, with a bright orange color. Like all winter squash, it's a great source of vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, and fiber.

Pumpkins may attract much attention as an official sign of cooler weather, but they are just one of dozens of seasonal squash varieties in the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family. “Winter” squashes are uniquely beautiful with ribbed or bumpy skins, irregular shapes, and vibrant colors ranging from yellow to orange to dark green or even multi-toned. Sometimes displayed as seasonal table decorations, they are best appreciated when featured as a star ingredient in a wide range of recipes.

Compared to their summertime cousins, winter squashes have a denser texture and flavor with firm flesh that holds up well in hearty soups, stews, casseroles, breads, and desserts. For the quickest enjoyment, the flesh may be scooped and eaten straight from its shell after cooking. Their seeds are also edible and nutritious.

The most common varieties found in supermarkets include butternut, delicata, spaghetti, kabocha, hubbard, acorn, sweet dumpling, and sugar pumpkins (these are firmer, sweeter, and less stringy than the larger carving pumpkins).Rich In:Carotenoids: beta carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), lutein, zeaxanthinProteinVitamin CVitamin B6FiberMagnesiumPotassium